Technical articles

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F1

Internal controlsThe purpose of this article is to provide an overview of internal control, with particular emphasis on topics relevant to Part C of the F1/FAB syllabus.

Mintzberg's theory on organisationsPart B of the F1/FAB syllabus is concerned with the study of business organisation structure, functions and governance. This article focuses on the Mintzberg model, which breaks down the organisation into five generic components.

OrganisationsAlso available as a podcast on iTunesThe F1 syllabus includes the theory of organisations and related topics. Candidates must be familiar with the different organisational structures that can be adopted, as well as related concepts such as departmentalisation, divisionalisation, centralisation and decentralisation, span of control, scalar chain and tall and flat organisations. This article provides an overview of some of these concepts.

The role of marketingAlso available as a podcast on iTunes
F1/FAB candidates need to have an understanding of the functions of all the main departments in a business organisation. This article focuses on and defines the role of marketing, the marketing mix, and the relationship between the marketing plan and the strategic plan.

Study support videos

F1/FAB MTQ advice
Debbie Palmer from BPP discusses the new format of F1/FAB exam taking effect in 2014, with details of what has and hasn't changed, the skills you need to maximise your chances of success and a look in detail at the question types.Cannot access Youtube? Watch it here

Advice for students retaking examsThis video is about turning your exam fail into a pass at your next attempt. It suggests ways to reflect on where you went wrong, how to draw up an effective study plan, and practising exam questions.

Syllabus updates

Examiner's guidance: Changes to the structure of F1/FABWith effect from 26 February 2014 for the computer-based exam (CBE) and from June 2014 for the paper-based exam, there will be various changes to the way in which the exam is structured. The purpose of this article is to explain the changes to the structure and to the styles of question that will be encountered by candidates.

Exam technique

F1 – A guide to using the examiner’s reports
Guidance to help you if you are taking the F1 exam for the first time as this takes you through how to use the examiner’s reports as part of your revision phase as directed by the self-study guides. This document will help you to understand how you should be using the examiner’s reports to make the best use of them.

F1 – A guide to reflection for retake students
Guidance to help you if you are retaking the F1 exam as this takes you through the process of reflection using the examiner’s reports as directed in the retake guides. This document will help you to understand how you should be using the examiner’s reports to make the best use of them.

How to answer multiple-choice questions
Answering MCQs successfully requires you to develop a range of skills and exam techniques. Taking the steps set out in this article will help you to maximise your marks.

Computer-based exams
This article considers the benefits of computer-based exams (CBEs), highlights the points that you need to be aware of when completing ACCA's current CBEs, and looks at the different types of questions.

How to prepare for Knowledge module exams
This article identifies some key steps in preparing Knowledge module exams and briefly discusses the wide range of resources available on the ACCA website, provided as guidance for students.